Stir-Fried Lemongrass Beef with Chili and Garlic
A quick Vietnamese stir-fry featuring tender strips of beef infused with fragrant lemongrass, garlic, and fresh chili for a spicy, aromatic dish. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 35 minutes pairs garlic cloves, minced, red bird's eye chili, thinly sliced, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 stalks lemongrass stalks, white part finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 red bird's eye chili, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak with 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss well and marinate for 20 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 2 stalks finely chopped white parts of lemongrass, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 2 thinly sliced red bird's eye chilies. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the marinated beef in a single layer and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the beef is browned and cooked to medium.
- Step 4: Toss in 1/4 cup sliced green onions and stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds to combine flavors.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Lemongrass Beef with Chili and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Stir-Fried Lemongrass Beef with Chili and Garlic?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep garlic cloves, minced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Lemongrass Beef with Chili and Garlic?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Stir-Fried Lemongrass Beef with Chili and Garlic for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Stir-Fried Lemongrass Beef with Chili and Garlic?
Vietnamese beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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